Method for Installing an Apparatus to the Correct Torque Setting Without the Use of Torque Measuring Tools

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a base having base threads and a flexible assembly having assembly threads, wherein said base threads and the assembly threads are capable of interfacing to connect the base to the flexible assembly, wherein the flexible assembly is capable of contracting in response to the application of torque when the assembly is connected to the base, and wherein the contracting of the assembly presents a visual, tactile or audible indication that a sufficient amount of torque has been applied to connect the flexible assembly to the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oil filters play a central role in protecting the engine within allautomotive vehicles. A filter ensures optimum oil supply, especiallyduring cold starts when oil viscosity is at its greatest. Over time theengine oil circuit becomes contaminated by combustion residue, metalshavings and other particles. To remove these pollutants engine oil ispumped into the oil filter where it is then passed through a pleatedfiltering medium designed to remove impurities down to the micron level.Once the engine oil is filtered through the pleated filtering medium, itthen flows back into the oil pump where it is then sent to the engine.Oil filters are intended to be changed periodically, as the pleatedfiltering medium accumulates particulate debris suspended in the engineoil over time due to normal usage. While tightening an oil filter on amounting base, one may be uncertain about the exact amount of torquerequired to securely tighten the oil filter to the mounting base of anengine block. Tightening it too much may cause damage to the oil filter,specifically the sealing ring, which may deform and allow pressurizedoil to leak out. Not tightening it enough may also result in leaks,which may cause extensive damage to the engine due to oil starvation andsubsequent overheating. Accordingly, it would be beneficial in the artif there were a tangible (e.g., audible) indication to the personinstalling the filter that the right amount of torque has been used andthat the filter is properly secured and neither too tightly nor tooloosely attached. Furthermore, visual, tactile, and/or audibleindicators of sufficient levels of torque could be useful outside thecontext of an oil filter, such as in tire lug nuts or othernonautomotive applications such as bottle caps which change shape whenthe contents is spoiled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method described herein consists of a diaphragm, or other surface,which has material elasticity and bi-stability. Materials engineered inthis fashion and may bend and or emit a sound or vibration when apredetermined amount of torque or force is applied (hereafter,indication). This indication denotes the required torque has beenapplied signifying the widget is installed properly. The surfacedisplaced by the torque being applied can be of differentconfigurations. This surface may be convex, concave, flat with a centralor distal portion shaped in the needed fashion to cause it to emit anindication that a predetermined torque has been applied. The mechanismby which the surface emitting the indication is referred to assnap-through buckling. This is a phenomenon that occurs on loading of apanel, when the panel resistance suddenly decreases with increasingimposed deflection. In some instances, the drop-in load is accompaniedby the release of a sound. Once the surface has been engineered todisplace at a predetermined load, the end user, be it a manufacturer orDIY person at home, can be assured of consistent torque between twomating surfaces without having to use devices, which require proper useand calibration. Prior to this method, the most common tools fortorqueing are torque wrenches, which are available in several types.Some of these types are slipper, beam, deflecting beam, click,electronic and mechatronic. Regardless of the type of torque wrench usedthey all need a certain amount of knowledge and proper use by theoperator to yield a consistent and valid torque onto whatever is beinginstalled. For instance, torque wrenches, like the click, electronic ormechatronic types, require recalibration as part of their periodicmaintenance. Further, when not in use, some types require a certainamount of tension while in storage to preserve the calibration of theirinternal components. As one example of the use of the method, theapplication described herein demonstrates the usefulness of the methodin a setting where tight or confined spaces make the use of a torquewrench very difficult. In this instance, we refer to the modification ofoil filters, used in a myriad of motive applications, so that properlyconsistent installation can be achieved without requiring the use oftorque measuring devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an Oil Filter according to a system andmethod of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of an Oil Filter showing thedirection and flow of oil according to a system and method of presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section of an Oil Filter prior to beingcoupled to an Engine Block according to a system and method of presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section of an Oil Filter coupled to an EngineBlock according to a system and method of present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a cross section of a bottle cap prior to being sealed onto abottle according to a system and method of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a cross section of a bottle cap sealed onto a bottleaccording to a system and method of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An oil filter having a mechanism for delivering a physical (e.g.,audible or tactile) indication to the user that the filter is tightlysecured and should not be further tightened, is disclosed. Turning nowto the figures, where like numerals refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an Oil Filter according to one aspect ofthe present invention. The center surface of Mounting Base 1 may have afemale thread for threading the Oil Filter 2 to Mounting Base 1 whichfemale thread is defined as an Outflow Hole 3 for passage of filteredengine oil back into the engine. Around the central Outflow Hole 3 theremay be several Inflow Holes 4 on the exterior surface of Mounting Base 1through which dirty engine oil may enter from the engine into Oil Filter2. The center surface of Mounting Base 1 may displace pressure throughmechanical hoop strength. Hoop strength is a mechanical applicationapplied that may be applied to flat surfaces. It may appear on saidsurface in the form of a ring. This ring contains and directs allapplied force to the edges of the ring. If said surface also displaysmaterial elasticity and bi-stability, then the force applied whilethreading on Oil Filter 2 may cause the surface to revert to itsopposite state. Bi-stability allows the Mounting Base 1 to live in twostable “minima” states which are stabile due to minimal pressure appliedto the component. Bi-stabile components also have a third state, calledthe “maximum” state. The maximum state lies in between the two minimastates and is a direct result of the pressure applied while threadingOil Filter 2 onto Mounting Base 1. When enough pressure is applied,Mounting Base 1 will go from one minima state, through the maximum stateand regain stability in the other minima state.

According to FIG. 1, Oil Filter 2 consists of Filter Housing 5, BottomAssembly 6, Sealing Ring 7, Anti-Drain Valve 8, Pleated Filtering Medium9, Center Tube 10, Outflow Hole 3, Inflow Hole 4, Bypass Valve 11, andRelief Spring 12. Filter Housing 5 may be may stamped, die cast orinjection molded out of plastic, steel, aluminum or any rigid mediumcapable of enclosing the components within Filter Housing 5. As shown inFIG. 1, Filter Housing 5 may contain Pleated Filtering Medium 9, whichhas two main functions; removing particulate residue from the engine oiland trapping particulate residue within the medium. Pleated FilteringMedium 9 may be a fabricated mixture of cellulose, cloth, paper,polyester fiber or any porous material that may possess the ability totrap and contain dirt and other residual material inside of it.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of Oil Filter 2 showing the directionand flow of engine oil (shown as Arrow A, B and C) according to a systemand method of present disclosure. According to an aspect of the presentdisclosure, direction of Arrow A may display how engine oil is pumpedinto Oil Filter 2 through Inflow Holes 4. The engine oil enters into OilFilter 2 through Inflow Holes 4 and then may pass through PleatedFiltering Medium 9, as displayed in the direction of Arrow B. Filteredengine oil is then collected in Center Tube 10 and pumped back into theengine through Outflow Hole 3, as displayed in the direction of Arrow C.Anti-Drain Valve 8 may be a one way check valve that allows filteredengine oil to flow from Oil Pump into Oil Filter 2 while the engine isrunning. In one aspect, Anti-Drain Valve 8 may be open to allow forengine oil to flow when the engine is running. Anti-Drain Valve 8 mayclose to keep the engine and Oil Filter 2 passages lubricated when theengine is shut off.

Also shown in FIG. 2, Bypass Valve 11 may be fitted beneath of CenterTube 10 within Oil Filter 2. Bypass Valve 11 may be utilized to increaseengine oil flow and engine oil pressure when the temperature of theengine oil falls below its standard operating temperature. In thisaspect the viscosity of the engine oil may increase, which decreases theengine oil's ability to flow freely through the engine and Oil Filter 2.If the engine oil falls below its standard operating temperature, BypassValve 11 may open and increase engine oil flow. As the engine and engineoil warms up, Bypass Valve 11 may close to regulate the engine oilpressure inside Oil Filter 2. When Oil Filter 2 reaches its fullcapacity it may lose its ability to distribute engine oil throughPleated Filtering Medium 9, in this aspect Bypass Valve 11 opens toregulate oil flow and oil pressure.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of Oil Filter 2 in the expandedposition according to a system and method of the present disclosure.Bottom Assembly 6, connected to the bottom of Oil Filter 2, may beconstructed of forged metal, steel, aluminum, plastic or any materialthat may easily be shaped into a hollow dome with bi-stability andmaterial elasticity. When Oil Filter 2 is not connected to Mounting Base1, Bottom Assembly 6 may be in the expanded position. As shown in FIG.3, Bottom Assembly 6 is expanded because there is no pressure or forcebeing applied. Bottom Assembly 6 may replicate the motions exhibited ina diaphragm, expanding when no pressure is applied, and contracting whenenough pressure is applied. When completely connected to Mounting Base1, (as shown in FIG. 4) Bottom Assembly 6 may contract, indicatingBottom Assembly 6 was properly connected to Mounting Base 1. Oil Filter2 may be threaded on to Mounting Base 1 as shown in the direction ofArrow A.

FIG. 4 is a section view of Oil Filter 2 in the contracted positionaccording to a system and method of the present disclosure. BottomAssembly 6 may be in a contracted position after being coupled toMounting Base 1. Once enough pressure is exerted on Bottom Assembly 6through an appropriate torque value, Bottom Assembly 6 may contract,indicating Bottom Assembly 6 was properly connected to Mounting Base 1.When Bottom Assembly 6 is contracted, User 13 may be able to visuallyidentify that Oil Filter 2 has been properly coupled to Mounting Base 1.The contraction of Bottom Assembly 6 may also be identified by anaudible sound and or a physical vibration known as snap-throughbuckling. This is a phenomenon that occurs on loading of a surface, whenthe surface resistance suddenly decreases with increasing imposeddeflection. In some instances, the drop-in load is accompanied by anaudible “click” or “pop.”

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are section views displaying a bottle cap beingscrewed onto a threaded bottle. In one aspect of the present disclosure,the mechanisms involved in the expansion and contraction of BottomAssembly 6 may be applied to objects other than oil filters, thusindicating an appropriate torque value was used to couple one objectonto another object. For example, Bottle Cap 14 could utilize themechanisms explained herein to ensure the Bottle Cap 14 is tightlysecured to the rim of a Bottle 15. In this example, when the Bottle Cap14 is properly secured to the rim of the Bottle 15 as shown in thedirection of Arrow A, the Bottle Cap 14 may contract from the expandedposition as a result of a force applied on the Bottle Cap 14 from therim of the Bottle 15 as shown in the direction of Arrow B. As the BottleCap 14 contracts from the center, an audible popping noise may beemitted and indicate to the user that an appropriate torque value hasbeen applied to the Bottle 15. In this use case, the Bottle 15 couldpotentially leak fluid if the Bottle Cap 14 stays in the expandedposition.

There are numerous applications for which the mechanisms describedherein may be utilized so long as a constant force is applied to thecomponent that expands and contracts.

This constant force will cause the mechanism to reach a threshold, thuscausing the material to go from an expanded to contracted position. Inone non-limiting example, a diaphragm on a tire rim may contract in thesame fashion when being mounted on a vehicle. The constant force appliedto a nut or bolt, locking a tire rim into place may cause the diaphragmcontract, emit an audible pop and indicate to the user that anappropriate torque value has been applied and the tire is properlyinstalled. This mechanism may be applied to any cylindrical containerthat requires a cylindrical lid.

The pressure needed to activate the expansion or contraction of acomponent such as Bottom Assembly 6 may be caused by forces other thanthose manually applied by a user applying force or torque. For example,some gases or fluids may create pressure within a bottle or containerbased on various factors such as but not limited to exposure to heat,cold, sunlight and additional liquids and gases. For example, Bottle Cap14 could indicate to a user that the liquid or gas within Bottle 15 isno longer edible, drinkable or usable based on the expansion orcontraction of said bottle cap when sealed on a bottle.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a base having basethreads; and a flexible assembly having assembly threads, wherein saidbase threads and the assembly threads are capable of interfacing toconnect the base to the flexible assembly; wherein the flexible assemblyis capable of contracting in response to the application of torque whenthe assembly is connected to the base; and wherein the contracting ofthe assembly presents a visual, tactile or audible indication that asufficient amount of torque has been applied to connect the flexibleassembly to the base.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexibleassembly or the base emits an audible indicator that a sufficient amountof toque has been applied to connect the flexible assembly to the base.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible assembly or the baseproduces a tactile vibration to indicate that a sufficient amount oftorque has been applied to connect the flexible assembly to the base. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is a mounting base of a motorvehicle oil filter.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is abottle and wherein the flexible assembly is a bottle cap.